Pentagon Official Warns Pete Hegseth's New Faith Mandate Creates 'If You're Not With Me, You're Against Me'

A civilian who has worked at the Pentagon for a decade has warned that Pete Hegseth's new religious rules could create an 'if you're not with me, you're against me' atmosphere, according to an interview with MS NOW, as changes to military religious affiliation codes prompt questions about religious freedom and representation.

The controversy centres on the Pentagon's move to standardise religious affiliation categories across the armed forces. Officials say the changes aim to improve demographic data and help military chaplains understand the religious make-up of their units. However, critics interviewed by MS NOW have questioned whether the revised system adequately represents non-Christian service members and those who do not identify with a religion.

The changes come as Hegseth, the defence secretary, promotes what he describes as 'spiritual readiness' within the military and establishes a new Office of Religious Affairs.

Hegseth's Religious Rules Face Questions Over Christian Identity

MS NOW reported that at least six current and former military members, including chaplains, questioned the Pentagon's explanation for the changes. Some said the revised categories could reinforce a Christian identity within an institution whose personnel hold different religious beliefs.

One former military chaplain, who helps assess prospective chaplains, reportedly told MS NOW: 'The push is to a Christian identity.'

The former chaplain also argued that the United States was not founded as a Christian nation and alleged that the initiative reflected a broader push towards a national Christian identity. These remarks represent the interviewee's interpretation of the policy rather than an established finding about the Pentagon's intentions.

The civilian interviewed by MS NOW, who said they had worked at the Pentagon for a decade, also questioned the implications of the changes.

'I think that's a flagrant violation of law and policy,' the civilian said, according to the report.

The allegation has not been established as a legal finding. The civilian also warned that the changes could foster an atmosphere in which personnel felt excluded if they did not share the religious identity they believed was favoured by senior officials.

The interviewee further alleged that Christian nationalism had become increasingly visible inside the Pentagon, describing it as 'palpable in that building'.

The concerns reflect critics' interpretation of the policy's potential effects. The Pentagon's stated explanation, by contrast, is that the changes are intended to standardise personnel data and improve resource planning.

Military Religious Affiliation Codes Reduced to 31 Categories

The dispute follows a change to religious affiliation codes that consolidated approximately 180 existing designations into 31 standardised categories, according to Stars and Stripes.

The Department of the Air Force said the new system was designed to standardise personnel records and provide chaplains with more accurate demographic information. The revised categories include Christian affiliations, other religious traditions, no religion, and options for personnel whose beliefs do not fit the listed categories.

Some previously separate designations, including Native American, Heathen, Deist and Wiccan, were grouped under 'other religions', according to Stars and Stripes.

The standardised categories used for personnel records should not be confused with the religious preference that service members may choose to have recorded on their identification tags. The Department of the Air Force has said personnel are not restricted to the standardised list when specifying their religious preference for identification tags.

Deadlines differ by service and personnel category. Active-duty Airmen and Guardians must update their religious affiliation records by 16 October, while Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel have until 9 November. The Marine Corps set an earlier deadline of 30 September, according to Stars and Stripes.

Air Force Says Changes Will Not Alter Chaplain Services

The Department of the Air Force has described the revised codes as an administrative measure rather than a change to religious support for personnel.

In a statement about the changes, Richard Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said the service's commitment to spiritual readiness and religious freedom remained steadfast.

The Air Force said the standardised codes would improve demographic awareness, helping chaplains better understand the religious composition of their units and plan resources accordingly. It also stated that the transition would not result in any reduction or alteration of chaplain services or religious support.

The official explanation provides context for the policy, while the concerns raised by interviewees highlight a separate debate about religious diversity and representation within the armed forces.